Junior wrap: 24 still alive

[Rob Sherrill]

The Junior National freestyle tournament also started, and though Illinois took some hits, thanks to some tough draws, 24 wrestlers remain alive after the first day.

And those 24 look pretty solid, with 16 of them still unbeaten heading into moving day.

Here's who remains alive:

98 - Matt Garelli, 3-0; Nkosi Moody, 3-0
112 - Derek Elmore, 4-0; Brayan Gonzalez, 4-0
125 - Eddie Klimara, 5-0; Danny Sabatello, 5-0
130 - Joe Gosinski, 4-0; Trevor Jauch, 4-1; Jameson Oster, 5-0
140 - Blaise Butler, 5-0; Edwin Cooper, 5-0; Nick Dardanes, 5-0; Steve Robertson, 4-1; Luke Smith, 4-1
145 - Joey Kielbasa, 4-1
160 - Nick Proctor, 4-0
171 - Andrew Spangler, 4-1
189 - Austin Marsden, 5-0; Dan Santoro, 4-1
215 - West Cathcart, 1-1; Gage Harrah, 3-0; Josh Marchok, 2-0; Jim Nudera, 2-1
285 - Chris Lopez, 3-0

[cap135]

What happend to Akui?

[C.A.Z.]

Being without Akui, Cavelaris, Munster and Dardanes is a blow to Illinois chances... but I still think they have enough firepower if they win a couple close matches to bring home the gold.

[dahdah]

A redemption of sorts. Since I'm a Sandburg guy, congrats to Chris Lopez for beating Niko Bogojevic of Wisconsin. He's that monster 285 + guy that pinned Cathcart in the Junior greco duals final. Nice job Chris!

[cap135]

Can someone PM me and tell me what happend to Akui?

[lvillewrestling2]

Originally Posted by C.A.Z.

Being without Akui, Cavelaris, Munster and Dardanes is a blow to Illinois chances... but I still think they have enough firepower if they win a couple close matches to bring home the gold.

Would have loved to seen Munster versus Morgan Mcintosh of California but I'm sure it will happen sometime in college

[normster]

Where is Munster? Was he supposed to be there? And I'm hoping Austin Marsden meets up with McIntosh in the finals. My bet...Marsden. He is on a mission. Last night he beat last year's triple crown winner, and Wednesday's GR Champion, Devin Peterson. He's on fire.

[Rob Sherrill]

I've talked to a couple of college coaches who have concerns that McIntosh isn't tall enough to be a standout 197. After watching him, I don't know whether I share that concern...he's pretty explosive. Haven't seen Marsden yet.

[Blonjuan44]

Where is this held? Fargo?

[TheBigHurt]

What about Jeff Koepke?